How Reds will shape up in 2012

There is little doubt that the summer 2011 transfer market will be one of the busiest in recent Manchester United history, with at least a quartet of players leaving club, possibly more. The quality of players coming in will depend on how parsimonious the Glazer family remains but with Gary Neville now retired, Edwin van der Sar due for the same fate, and Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves out of contract, a similar number will surely join as replacements.

In addition to that quartet it seems more than likely that both Gabriel Obertan and Wes Brown will also leave the club. Obertan’s failure to progress after two unsuccessful years at Old Trafford is unlikely to provide a return on United’s £3 million investment but there is little value persisting with a player who has made just three Premier League starts this season. Meanwhile Brown, who has been at the club for 15 years, reportedly fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson on last summer’s pre-season tour to the United States.

Moreover, with Dimitar Berbatov and Darron Gibson out of contract in 2012 there is no guarantee that the pair will remain at Old Trafford beyond the summer. Certainly the Irishman has shown little progress this season and at 23 may at least fetch a decent transfer fee.

However, any transfer planning will include Tom Cleverley, Mame Biram Diouf, Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda, who Ferguson confirmed will return to the club when the current season ends. The quartet has experienced mixed fortunes away from Old Trafford on loan, with arguably only Welbeck and Cleverley adding to their burgeoning reputations. Welbeck scored six Premier League goals before sustaining a serious knee injury. Meanwhile, Cleverley has performed well at struggling Wigan Athletic when fit.

“They’ll come back into the squad and they will get plenty of games next season,” Ferguson told club mouthpiece ManUtd.com.

“They are part of the band of young players coming through at this club. They will all come back in. At that point, we will then review our squad because that’s the important thing. But we will always put players out on loan.

“Cleverley has done very well, particularly in his spell at Watford and then at Wigan. He has improved in each case and he is going to be a top player. Welbeck has been fantastic too, it’s just unfortunate that he picked up a bad injury. But they will all be ready for next year. Mame Diouf has done well at Blackburn too and he’ll come back in.”

However, Diouf’s failure to command a regular starting spot at Blackburn Rovers, where he has scored just three times in the top division, and Macheda’s patchy form on loan at Sampdoria, where he has scored just once, will also factor in the manager’s thinking.

Goalkeeper
van der Sar’s retirement and Tomasz Kuszczak probable departure means that United will buy at least one ‘keeper in addition to Anders Lindegaard. The Dane, a £3 million purchase from Aalesund in January, has made just two FA Cup appearances to date but is expected to compete for a place in the first team next season. Meanwhile, Ben Amos may return from loan at Oldham Athletic to once again take up position at Sir Alex’ third choice stopper.

As for additions United has regularly watched David De Gea, Manuel Neuer and Rene Adler this season. Indeed, each is available for transfer, although none will come cheap. While Neuer has talked up his chances of remaining in Germany where known admirers Bayern Munich normally get their man, Adler is desperate for a move to Old Trafford.

Defence

Ferguson has little call to make sweeping changes to his defensive department, although the 69-year-old Scot must recognise that injuries have decimated his resources for two seasons in a row. Brown’s likely departure, Rio Ferdinand’s ongoing injury problems and Jonny Evan’s poor form may well prompt the purchase of a new central defender. Chris Smalling’s progress is a bonus though, with the former Fulham defender actually making more appearances than Ferdinand this season.

With Patrice Evra signing a new contract, Fábio da Silva may depart on loan unless Ferguson now considers the 20-year-old Brazilian his brother’s understudy.

Midfield

Midfield is by far United’s weakest department and although Ferguson will bolster his options with Cleverley’s return – and Antonio Valencia’s renewed fitness – the Scot will surely seek out a central midfielder of the highest quality. It is a challenge the United manager shirked last summer, repeatedly declaring that ‘no value’ exists in the market while spending more than £8 million on Bébé. The fee was, by contrast, more than Tottenham Hotspur spent on Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart. And although United is reportedly keen on brining the former Real Madrid midfielder north this summer it is far more likely that Ferguson will again seek solace in youth or at the bottom of the market.

Much will depend on Paul Scholes’ future – will he, or will he not retire?

Ferguson may also wish to strengthen his left-sided options, with Park Ji-Sung’s form and fitness failing him this season, Obertan unlikely to remain in Manchester and now Ryan Giggs in his 38th year.

Then there is the Hargreaves question, with United essentially missing a destructive force in the centre of midfield for the past two seasons. Tabloid rumours of a move for Daniele de Rossi, Lassana Diarra continue, although at 27 and 26 each is at the upper end of United’s age/cost profile under the Glazer regime.

Attack
Ferguson will at least retain a wealth of options in attack even if Owen departs. The injury-prone former Liverpool front-man has contributed little to the Reds’ cause this season and is out of contract in the summer,. However, should Diouf, Welbeck and Macheda all return Ferguson will still have six strikers on his books. It seems unlikely that the Scot will invest in further forward options this summer.

Youth
Ferguson also has a number of youngsters who may push towards the edge of the Scot’s squad in the coming year, although few gained experience in the Carling Cup before United’s humiliation at Upton Park. However, Corry Evans – on loan at Hull City – Ravel Morrison, Will Keane, Joshua King and Paul Pogba will hope for more opportunities in the minor cup competitions.

79 thoughts on “How Reds will shape up in 2012”

Bebe cost £7.4m, not more than £8m. Berbatov wont be going anywhere, he has been absolutely fantastic and Fergie will want to keep him at the club. I highly doubt Obertan or Gibson will be sold. We are looking solely at Kuszczak (sadly), Hargreaves, Owen and maybe Brown leaving the club but no-one else will go. It will be great seeing Cleverley next season in the first team. We should go for Sanchez, a goal keeper (Ochoa would be interesting, or Cesar/Stekelenburg/Buffon) and either Costa/Pastore.

Transfer rumours, and speculation are good for a laugh, and give this forum a hell of a lot to talk about…

But when I give it serious and realistic thought… it just depresses the hell out of me.

Once upon a time, transfer windows, especially the summer window, were a time of excitement… a bit like Christmas… waiting to see which latest toy, Santa-Ferguson would leave under the tree.

Now it’s like breakfast at the homeless shelter… will it be porridge, or powdered eggs?

I’ve a feeling this will be worst, most disappointing summer in United history… the press will go ape-shit… talking about this massive “war chest” that Ferguson has to spend, and we will be linked with every fuckin player out there… wouldn’t surprise me one bit, for some obscure source to claim we’ve made cheeky bids for both Ronaldo and Messi, and that they’ve both said… “it would be a dream to join such a great club”…

The rumours will be overwhelming… the reality, however… will be something else…

With City and the Renties expected to spend like the crazed fuckheads that they are… and Barca and Real to sign whoever they want, at whatever it costs…I’m predicting right here… right now… that we will sign absolutely no one of note… just a few unfancied kids, and Scholes will stay… Ferguson/Gill will tell us how the market is out of control, and we will not be held to ransom, and United always looks to bring youth along, because this is the Manchester United way…

But bringing in two youngens of the quality of Chico and Smalling every summer, although not exciting, will do for me. The risk is we’ll bring in another Diouf and Bebe instead.

United will do their summer business very early and then sit back while Chelsea, City, Inter, Real and Barca spunk a shitload of cash. We’ll be linked with everyone but we’ll buy only buy two established names: the GK and a new midfielder, the rest will be youngsters.

Ed, I hasnt been here in god knows how long and I didnt know about wat Bebe was listed as in the accounts so I will apologise as I was only aware of the £7.4m reported fee. But I am bearly ever wrong so it can not be “as usual”.

One more thought; the FA Cup semi – final against City is a no – loser for us; if we win we’re into the final with a good chance of winning it for the first time since 2004; if we lose then the pressure on the Glazers to buy our way back into the game will become immense!

I respectfully suggest that if United lose to City (of all clubs) in the FA Cup semi – final the cry of outrage will be so severe that United’s value as a going concern will be severely impacted.

If the Glazers have any kind of business strategy for United it must surely involve the club being successful against it’s (now) fiercest competitor. Anything less than a victory will invite accusations of a so – called “power – shift” to the other side of Manchester; if the Glazers strategy is ultimately to sell the club on at an enormous profit then they surely will not want to make the same mistakes their “fellow Americans” made at Liverpool, will they?

Tom Cleverley will be in the first team next season which is wondeful news, I have seen quite abit of this lad and he has never disappointed, I for one can not wait as Cleverley is a United superstar ready to shine. Ed, I would like to know who you think United should buy.

Good points ALFONSO beacause at the end of the day both Ferguson and Gill will be saying there is no value in the market so they have decided not to buy any new players this summer and instead will bring in Cleverley, Wellbeck, Pogba and Morrison. Will probably bag Van de Sar to play another season. That will really tell it all that the real reason is there’s no money to buy any new players. So for now, I’m not even going to even talk about new players because really, there is none.

how is an england international, albeit an average one, available on the cheap? young would cost around 17/18mill pounds which has been the going rate for english players moving to top clubs for quite some time. you could easily pick up a foreign gem for that amount of money.

Young’s contract expires in 2012, this summer will be the last chance to sell him for a reasonable fee. He is unlikely to sign a new contract.

My picks would be:

Stekenlenburg
Rodwell
Young

Surely Wes and Fergie can sort things out, he’s a key squad man for me. Diouf has to go, Macheda if we get a good bid. PIG to go too. Gibson to stay, Obertan and Bebe to go out on on loan. Will be Scholes last season next season.

But bringing in two youngens of the quality of Chico and Smalling every summer, although not exciting, will do for me. The risk is we’ll bring in another Diouf and Bebe instead.

United will do their summer business very early and then sit back while Chelsea, City, Inter, Real and Barca spunk a shitload of cash. We’ll be linked with everyone but we’ll buy only buy two established names: the GK and a new midfielder, the rest will be youngsters.

The Chicos’, and Smallings’ are great when they come good… but for one thing they don’t grow on trees, and two… it doesn’t hurt that they’ve got Rooneys’ and Vidics’ to play with…

I can’t see Sir Alex buying De Gea, too young and relatively inexperienced for such a pivotal position. I think the Ajax goalkeeper would be the obvious choice, particularly because of his likely transfer value.

The first team central midfielder is impossible to predict but it could one of Sneidjer, Defour, Mascherano, Hamsik, or Gourcuff.

The young central midfielder is also difficult to predict but it could be one of Henderson, Rodwell, Goetze, or Kawaga.

until the glazers fuck off which i think they will, we aint buyin shit. need to lose o’shea,brown,carrick,gibson,park and owen. too many ageing squad players and too much much shit, carrick being the biggest load. i would like to see:
lloris
tiago silva
gourcuff
ninis
douglas costa

… even though we spunked 10m on Bebe, who wasn’t even on YouTube when Fergie got fucked on two cases of Burgundy.

A promise was made to Rooney by Gill, Owners and implicitly Fergal, that we wld invest, it would be commercial and reputational suicide were United to make good on that promise. Macl knows that and he will be stuffing cash in Fergals’s face to try and sign some bods in summer.

The problem is Fergal, not the Glazers. When push comes to twat, we fucked out cash for Smalling, Ladygarden and Chica. And when shit really hit the fan we are paying 1 MILLION a MONTH to Wayne.

The reason, cos Fergal, Gill and Owners know that in footballing terms he is the future and economically, they need this cunt to keep the cash rolling in.

Try and see this from a wider perspective; we will be spending this summer don’t you worry.

The question is not how much, rather by how much we get ripped off by the United premium. We will get fucked over on the value front, no doubt about it.

All this is the world of dreams. There are three unknowns. How much cash is actually available? What are SAFs opinions about the squad? Will we win all three or cock up all threee?
GK -after PS & VDS, SAF will definely want a “world class keeper”. I think that rules out Stekelenberg. I would not rule De Gea; SAF is a betting man & prepared to take a risk. He will pay the going rate.
CB. Does SAF rate Evans or not?
CM. I suspect Rodwell & Henderson are on the radar- English & young & that the two Dutchmen are not -Dutch trouble & too expensive. I am certain he would love both Modric & Bale but it will not happen. We have no evidence that he thinks that Pogba, Morrison or Cleverley would be close to his best eleven.

“The problem is Fergal, not the Glazers.”
And there you have it… Danniis’ enlightened opinion of life at the new United.
The Glazers are actually not the problem, according to Dannii… the £400mill+ that they’ve pissed up a wall is not a problem… the 40+% rise in ticket prices, not a problem… Nope!… the “REAL” problem is Ferguson, one of, if not the best, most respected manager in football…
And you call others, “thick cunts”…
You’re a fuckin embarrassment to United fans…

“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”

We need a world class keeper, no doubts. But there’s a significant need to bolster the midfield as well. There is no easy solution, as going average in both areas probably means the overall quality of the squad drops. I imagine we’ll sign a good keeper, some average herp derp shite in midfield.

The fact is that the squad needs a trim from all the average detritus – Obertan (sadly), Owen, Diouf, Macheda – and some of the youth promoting through – Pogba, Tunnicliffe, Morrison along with Cleverley and Welbeck. I’d take a punt, give them a shot, and get in the best keeper we can afford, and avoid expenditure on some average dross than just clogs up the wage bill.

Ben Hulston said:
The key issue will be how we distribute our meagre funds.

We need a world class keeper, no doubts. But there’s a significant need to bolster the midfield as well. There is no easy solution, as going average in both areas probably means the overall quality of the squad drops. I imagine we’ll sign a good keeper, some average herp derp shite in midfield.

The fact is that the squad needs a trim from all the average detritus – Obertan (sadly), Owen, Diouf, Macheda – and some of the youth promoting through – Pogba, Tunnicliffe, Morrison along with Cleverley and Welbeck. I’d take a punt, give them a shot, and get in the best keeper we can afford, and avoid expenditure on some average dross than just clogs up the wage bill.

we will get a class goaly – and we will pay way over the top but that is the United premium and every club knows we are desparate.

one of my main problems with people declaring that they will retire (i.e., VDS) is that we will get fucked over for our new target. why not keep it under wraps? the club or VDS does not need to say fuck all.

it will also depend on who wants to come to united? villa didn’t nor did Ozil but smalling and hernandez did.

united and english clubs in general have lost their cache in recent times. all about barca and madreeeeeeeed, hell even inter.

you can talk about Tozza but no way he was going to Real and Barca and Inter have plenty of grade A fire power and are not gonna spunk 50m on the reserve Spanish striker.

my basic point is that it is not as simple as cash is king. it depends on availability, injuries and the movements with other clubs.

we tend to do our dealings in secret so before season is out or within a couple of weeksm I’m sure we will have announced the goaly at least.

Ben, I only half agree. He will sign a top keeper; presumably he has ruled out Adler since if he wanted him Adler would have jumped at the chance.
I’m pretty confident he will buy a CMF who he sees as something special, either potential, Rodwell, Pastore, Ninis etc or proven, can’t think of anyone in the EPL, (surely not Adam & Young is not a proper midfielder)so it’s either Spain, France or Portugal. My guess is Rodwell & De Gea.

Blog Commenter said:
Ben, I only half agree. He will sign a top keeper; presumably he has ruled out Adler since if he wanted him Adler would have jumped at the chance.
I’m pretty confident he will buy a CMF who he sees as something special, either potential, Rodwell, Pastore, Ninis etc or proven, can’t think of anyone in the EPL, (surely not Adam & Young is not a proper midfielder)so it’s either Spain, France or Portugal. My guess is Rodwell & De Gea.

i just dont think he will go for a young guy anymore – plus wld not discount stekel, neuer or adler, they will be completely bound by confidentiality and as soon as the window is officially open, we will announce

in fact, I guess will will announce at least two bods in one go. we just get fucked over if we enter into a public war like the Hargo situation.

we only found out some months afterwards that we approached Villa and Ozil.

uncleknobheadforfucksake said:
well its not like he hasnt been given money and pissed it up the wall is it

So what?… Fergies history of signings has some grand blunders, for sure… but he’s had more than enough successes as well… you can’t deny he’s got a great eye for defenders, and if you look at how many ex-United players have gone on to be decent managers, you’ve got to say he’s got an eye for leaders as well… the problem, I think is how many creative players he’s bought that haven’t adapted to the English game… but anyway… that’s not the point…

Dannii just pisses me off with his ridiculous Glazer reasoning… he’s got a typical businessman mentality… United fans should just be grateful that these titans of finance, have decided to take our club under their benign, corporate wing…

Blog Commenter said:
No seriously Faiz, shut the door on your way out mate.

Why would you pay a b-squad player £80K per week just because he’s a nice chap to have around the club?

Because O’Shea has started something like 23 matches for us this season, in which we have a record of 17-4-2 if I’ve counted right. In other words, he plays a lot for us, and we seem to do all right with him in the side.

bman said:
Because O’Shea has started something like 23 matches for us this season, in which we have a record of 17-4-2 if I’ve counted right. In other words, he plays a lot for us, and we seem to do all right with him in the side.

That’s awkward logic Bernie… there are so many variables left to consider…

How many of those games were won by the attack, where the defence may have actually been rubbish? How many of those games would we have won anyway, had Rafa played instead? How many of those games did we win, even though O’Shea may have been gash? And we all know, that ultimately, he’s not very good… and certainly not worth the wage gets.

I don’t actually have a problem with O’Shea… he’s a loyal, ready, and game bench jockey… but fuck me… £80k a week?

Alfonso Bedoya said:
That’s awkward logic Bernie… there are so many variables left to consider…

How many of those games were won by the attack, where the defence may have actually been rubbish? How many of those games would we have won anyway, had Rafa played instead? How many of those games did we win, even though O’Shea may have been gash? And we all know, that ultimately, he’s not very good… and certainly not worth the wage gets.

I don’t actually have a problem with O’Shea… he’s a loyal, ready, and game bench jockey… but fuck me… £80k a week?

I know there’s a lot of variables, I’m just pointing out that our record with O’Shea starting is actually noticeably better than our overall record. It doesn’t prove he’s ace, but it does suggest that he can’t be that much of a liability.

£80K a week doesn’t seem that outrageous to me for a player who does a decent if unspectacular job, is loyal, is positionally flexible, and is actually in our first eleven this season in terms of the amount of PL games he’s started (i.e. only 9 other players plus VDS have started more PL games than him). He in our first 11 (in terms of PL starts) in 08-09 as well, and hasn’t been far off it in other seasons.

Given that we’ve got a defensive crisis practically every fucking season these days, I’m relieved we have O’Shea, since we’d have been buggered without him on countless occasion.

What’s the obsession with transfers? It’s so ridiculous. Anyone would think transfers are more important than trophies. We’re in the three biggest competitions still. It’s not like we’re on the verge of collapse. A few tweaks here and there is all we need.

So… when do you start to worry? When we ARE on the verge of collapse? Bit late then isn’t it?
I look at the team and the club, and I see serious problems… not just the midfield deficiencies… but the way we’ve been ignoring them and the obvious lies being told to justify the way our club is being managed.
People like you don’t give a fuck as long as we’re in for a cup or two…
FFS…

“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”

Yeah but never get to play our first four choices anymore, and defence is too important. It’s been the foundation of our success in the past 5 years, and it’s the reason we aren’t currently running away with the title right now.

the midfield is the reason we arent running away with a title. rio is really the only one that will need replaced. and his replacement is already at the club in my eyes.
2 monsters in the centre of the park and we wll be unstoppable

Czuk… why don’t you fuck off?
This is an open forum and all are welcome… but really, no one wants YOU here… and certainly, no one cares what you have to say.

“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”